From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.

UPDATE: Police have made an arrest in the case, according to the Washington Post. James Edward Wade, 30, was arrested Saturday and charged with armed robbery.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking a suspect in an armed robbery that occurred on a restaurant patio just east of Logan Circle last month. The incident occurred just before 9:30 pm on Friday, May 17, on the patio at Pizzoli’s Pizzeria at 1418 12th Street NW.

Police have posted surveillance video from the incident, which shows the suspect approaching the two male victims while they ate on the patio. After a brief conversation, he produced a handgun and stole money and an iPhone from the victims before fleeing.

The two male victims, who were interviewed by The Washington Post, described remaining calm even after the casual conversation with the suspect turned into an armed robbery. As the Post noted, the video posted Thursday has quickly gone viral with close to 25,000 views by Friday afternoon, making it one of the most highly viewed YouTube videos posted by MPD.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact police at 202.727.9099.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy Lanier appeared on the TODAY Show last Thursday expressing frustration with the rise in ATMs that allow customers to trade in and recycle used cell phones and other electronics for cash on the spot.

ecoATM is the San Diego-based company that produces the machines and places them in malls and shopping centers across the country. Lanier believes that ecoATMs provide an extra incentive to potential robbers, because the machines offer a quick and easy way to trade in stolen phones for cash.

The company disagrees, arguing that extensive security measures make it difficult to trade in stolen phones. Customers using the machines must be 18-years-old and provide a valid photo identification card that is compared in real-time to a photo taken by the machine. They must also provide a thumbprint.

ecoATM records the serial number of each phone collected and stores them for at least 30 days after collection. Additionally, the company announced Wednesday the creation of an eight-member Law Enforcement Advisory Board, who will provide recommendations on how ecoATM can best partner with police agencies and ensure the machines are not used for reselling stolen goods.

Lanier first argued against the use of ecoATMs on WTOP in February, stating that up to 30 to 35 percent of the phones recycled at ecoATMs are stolen. The company disputes these figures, noting on their website that fewer than five out of every 10,000 phones recycled are stolen.

Lanier said Thursday that MPD believes at least 200 phones stolen in the District have turned up in suburban locations of the machines and that MPD has already made six arrests in these cases. She did commend the company for being very cooperative in law enforcement investigations when a phone believed to be stolen is found deposited in the ATM.

ecoATM currently does not have any machines inside the District, and has not announced any plans to establish a D.C. location. The company formerly operated a machine in Temple Hills, MD at Iverson Mall, but the machine was removed because of a licensing issue. There also was previously a machine in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City that no longer appears on the company’s list of locations.

While there are still a number of ecoATMs in the D.C. metropolitan area, the remaining current locations would not be particularly convenient for District robbers. The closest ATMs are in Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia; St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, Maryland; and Potomac Mills in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Both Hylton and Talon pleaded guilty in 2012 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges.

All three men were arrested in December 2011 after police discovered methamphetamine and chemicals used for producing drugs in an apartment shared by Gersen and Talon at the Imperial House Condominium at 1601 18th Street NW and in a room at the Beacon Hotel at 1615 Rhode Island Avenue NW.

Hylton, who most recently resided in Arlington, was sentenced March 1 to four years in prison, the same sentence Gersen received in February. Hylton will be placed on three years of supervised release after his prison term and must perform 200 hours of community service. He also must forfeit $85,000 in cash linked to the sale and distribution of methamphetamine. Both Gersen and Hylton are scheduled for release from federal prison camps on May 25, 2015. Both also will receive a 500-hour drug treatment program while imprisoned.

Talon received no prison time and was sentenced to three years of supervised release in a hearing on April 24. He is a Canadian citizen and agreed to return to Canada and comply with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation process. According to court records, Talon played a lesser role in the conspiracy than Gersen and Hylton. He is also battling serious medical issues and will receive healthcare in Canada as a citizen. Based on court documents, Talon is seeking a new job in media relations in Canada. He previously founded a now defunct communications firm, OnRecord Media, in the District.

All three suspects were sentenced in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by Judge Reggie B. Walton.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has created a card with safety tips designed to help citizens prevent becoming the victim of a robbery. The 10 tips are listed below.

The card encourages residents to always be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to activity happening around them. Avoiding distractions from electronic devices is particularly important.

Trying to multitask while walking can lead to victimization — MPD stresses it is best to walk with a purpose and with confidence and not try to text, take phone calls, listen to music, or check email while walking. If possible, do not walk alone and only walk through well-lit and well-traveled areas.

MPD also recommends only using ATMs in well-populated areas when it is light outside. Do not display large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry or electronic items.

To prevent pickpocketing, men should avoid carrying their wallet in a back pocket and instead carry it in a front pocket or an inside jacket pocket. Women are encouraged to carry a small purse that can be held in their hand.

Tips for Reducing Your Chances of Being a Crime Victim

Always be aware of your surroundings, vigilant of activity around you and attentive to individuals approaching, walking purposely and with confidence.

Do not allow yourself to be distracted by activity such as talking on your cell phone, listening to music or reading.

Try to travel with others, walk in well-traveled areas, and at night in well-lighted areas.

Protect your electronics by not displaying them.

Resist the urge to multi-task while walking; wait to make phone calls, check your email and listen to music at your destination.

If you purchase an electronic device check on the availability of a tracking system for the device (usually free at time of purchase).

Do not use ATMs that are located in remote areas, use ATMs during the daylight hours in well-populated areas.

Do not display large amounts of cash when paying for items, and do not display exces­sive jewelry.

Men: if you carry wallet, place the wallet in your front hip pocket or inside jacket pocket- do not carry in your back pant pocket.

Women: when you will be walking in public spaces carry a small handbag or purse that you can grasp with a hand.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.

Two unrelated gun crimes were reported in Borderstan late Saturday and early Sunday morning, by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

18th and Florida NW Gun Robbery

At about 11:50 pm, a victim was robbed at gunpoint in an alley near 18th Street and Florida Avenue NW by two suspects.

The first suspect, who was armed with a black handgun, is described as a black male about 6’2″ tall with a dark complexion and dreadlocks last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. The second suspect is described as a black male about 6’2″ tall with a medium complexion last seen wearing a red jacket.

Shooting at 8th and N NW

At about 3:45 am on Sunday, April 21, MPD reported a shooting at 8th and N Streets NW. According to a post from police, an officer patrolling in the area heard the sound of gunshots and found a victim who had been shot in the lower leg. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. The suspect was described as a black male with a red shirt and was seen fleeing the scene on foot.

Attempted Robbery at 14th and W NW

Earlier, on Saturday, police made an arrest in an attempted robbery near 14th and W Streets NW, according to a post. A suspect grabbed the victim around the neck and demanded money. He fled after the victim yelled for police and was apprehended a short time later by plainclothes officers. The suspect was arrested for assault with intent to rob.

Anyone with information in any of these cases is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.

The event, which will be held from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Third District Station at 1620 V Street NW, will be led by Samantha Nolan. She is an at-large member of MPD’s Citizens Advisory Council and serves as the citywide neighborhood watch trainer.

The training is focused on reducing opportunities for criminals to help prevent crime and reduce the chances of becoming a crime victim.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Samantha Nolan at nolantutor[AT]yahoo.com. There is no cost to attend the training.

In terms of violent crime, assaults with a deadly weapon are down substantially so far in 2013, and robberies are also down somewhat.

Offense

Jan-March 2012 Crimes

Jan-March 2013 Crimes

Percent Change

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

26

14

-46.2%

Arson

1

1

0%

Burglary

18

36

+100.0%

Homicide

1

1

0%

Robbery

64

57

-10.9%

Sex Abuse

3

3

0%

Stolen Auto

40

30

-25.0%

Theft

190

236

+24.2%

Theft from Auto

295

273

-7.5%

TOTAL

638

651

+2.0%

Top Blocks for Crimes

In terms of examining crime incidents block-by-block, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the new Metropolitan Police Department data system combines multiple blocks of Connecticut Avenue NW around Dupont Circle, making 1300 to 1699 Connecticut Avenue NW a single street block.

Thus far in 2013, this “block” has had the most serious incidents in Borderstan with a total of 29. The 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue NW has traditionally had the most incidents in that area, but it is now impossible to determine exactly how these 29 incidents are distributed along the street.

The 1300 block of U Street had 14 incidents through the first three months of 2013. Both the 700 and 800 block of Mount Vernon Place (also combined into a single block) and the 900 block of U Street had 13 serious incidents, and the 1400 block of P Street recorded 12 thus far. All of these blocks were among the highest crime locations in 2012 as well.

Crime incidents were fairly evenly distributed across the first three months of 2013. There were 227 offenses recorded in January, 185 in February, and 239 in March.

Data for these analyses were drawn from the Metropolitan Police Department Crime Mapping Application. Incidents are subject to reclassification, so these data may change slightly over the course of 2013.

Visitors to the site can search for crime data based on a specific address, or by using MPD geographic divisions (i.e. District, Police Service Area) or DC geographic divisions (e.g., Ward, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, etc.).

Borderstan falls primarily in Police Service Areas (PSA) 301, 305, and 307 with a small portion in 308 in the Third District and 208 in the Second District. Users can also choose what timeframe to examine. Data are currently available through March 29, 2013, and the application automatically compares the date range chosen to the same time period in the previous year.

The advanced features on the application can be used to download data on specific incidents in Microsoft Excel. These data provide the criminal complaint number, type of incident, the date and shift when it was reported, and the street block and Census tract where it occurred (see Using the Crime Map Application from MPD).

Crime data for Borderstan are also available from the Daily Crime Reports posted to the Second District and Third District Yahoo! Groups, which include information on all serious incidents in the past 24 hours. The Daily Arrest Report has temporarily been suspended, but Chief Cathy Lanier said in late February that these reports would be posted again as soon as possible.

MPD press releases on major incidents and arrests are posted to the Yahoo! Groups and are also available on the department’s News Room Page. Alerts on crime incidents are also available through the Alert DC system, as well as MPD’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Look for additional posts soon with the latest on crime statistics for the Borderstan area.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.

Twenty-six year old Alexis Pineda of Suitland, MD, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on March 15 for the 2011 shooting death of 24-year-old Jose Manuel Hernandez-Romero, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. The homicide occurred March 27 at about 2:30 am at El Sauce Restaurant, 1227 11th Street NW.

Pineda shot the victim, who lived in the 1400 block of N Street NW, one time in the chest and he died hours later at a local hospital. Pineda and Hernandez-Romero had not met previously and, according to witnesses, there was no altercation prior to the shooting.

According to court documents, Pineda had been drinking before he came to El Sauce and has a history of mental illness. After the shooting, other customers and employees at El Sauce held down Pineda until police arrived.

Jaime Cruz, 31, who came to the restaurant with Pineda, tried to escape the premises with the suspect and threatened to shoot the patrons holding Pineda down. Cruz was charged with obstruction of justice in the case and was sentenced to three years in prison in October.

Pineda was also sentenced to five years of supervised release, but because of a previous immigration conviction, he will be deported to El Salvador immediately after serving his prison sentence.

According to Homicide Watch D.C., Pineda pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree murder while armed in October 2012 in advance of a scheduled trial as part of a plea agreement. Pineda could have faced a sentence of up to 26 years in prison.

The incident was the one recorded homicide in Borderstan in 2011, although a second homicide occurred just south of Borderstan.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a suspect for stealing a cell phone from a woman’s purse on the morning of March 16, according to a post to the Third District Yahoo! group. The incident occurred just after midnight at the bar at the Brixton, 901 U Street NW.

In a similar incident on the evening of March 16 in Adams Morgan, a suspect was arrested for stealing multiple cell phones at Grand Central, 2447 18th Street.

Pockets that can be zippered or buttoned shut also make it more difficult for pickpockets to grab your possessions. Putting a rubber band around your wallet can make it easier to detect a pickpocket in action, because the rubber band rubbing against your pants will create friction.

Police encourage women to avoid carrying their wallets in their purse and instead keep their wallet or any valuables in a zipped pocket on their person. If possible, women should also carry a small purse or handbag that can be easily held. Purses that have zippers or snaps also create a bigger challenge for pickpockets.

For women who are wearing a purse with a strap, keeping the strap diagonally across your body (instead of on your shoulder) helps keep the bag in front of you, which makes it harder for a pickpocket to strike from behind. Most importantly, do not leave any valuables unattended on a table or bar, even for a moment, as pickpockets and thieves only need a few seconds to steal your possessions.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for assistance in locating a suspect in an armed robbery Thursday morning (Lunchtime Gun Robbery of Business at 11th and U NW). The suspect entered the Eleven Market at 1936 11th Street NW at about 10:45 am and showed a revolver to the cashier. He left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Surveillance footage, which police have posted to YouTube, shows the suspect entering the store and grabbing money from the cash register. The suspect is described as a white male, 20- to 30-years-old with short brown hair. During the robbery, he was wearing a green hooded jacket and jeans.

Anyone with information in the incident is asked to contact MPD at 202-727-9099. A reward of up to $10,000 is available for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

A burglar is gaining access to Dupont homes by pushing out AC units. (Borderstan)

The Metropolitan Police Department is warning residents in the Dupont area about a series of recent daytime burglaries committed in similar ways, according to a post in the Third District Yahoo! group.

In all of the incidents, the suspect entered the homes by pushing out window air conditioning units. He has stolen electronic items in each burglary.

Six burglaries between January 17 and March 1 in both the Second and Third District match this pattern. These incidents occurred January 17 in the 1800 block of S Street NW, February 21 in the 1700 block of R Street NW, February 23 in the 1500 block of 17th Street NW, February 25 in the 1900 block of Florida Avenue NW, February 28 in the 1600 block of 17th Street NW and March 1 in the 1700 block of P Street NW.

In Friday’s incident, which occurred at about 6:45 am, the suspect was described as a black male, about 5’9″ tall and 170 pounds, wearing a spotted black and white jacket.

In the video, which MPD has posted to YouTube, the suspect can be seen walking on the sidewalk on T Street and then approaching two victims in the alley while holding a small black handgun. He fled from the alley after stealing property from the victims.

He is described as a black male in his mid to late 20s about 5’10” to 6′ tall and weighing approximately 165 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark ski mask, a gray hoodie, what appears to be a North Face jacket, blue jeans, and dark sneakers with an orange strip along the side.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact MPD at 202-727-9099.

From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

Crime news from Dupont-Logan-U Street.

A man and a woman were stabbed near the intersection of 14th and U Streets NW early Sunday morning. The incident occurred outside Patty Boom Boom at 1359 U Street NW.

According to an investigation by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), the suspect and two victims had a verbal altercation inside Patty Boom Boom and were removed from the club. The three then became involved in a physical fight outside that was broken up by security personnel.

During the fight, the male victim was stabbed in the chest and left shoulder and the female victim was stabbed under her left breast. The injuries suffered were minor and non-life threatening according to police and the victims drove themselves to the hospital.

Police are still searching for the suspect. He is described as a black male, about 5’9″ with a stocky build and a beard. He was last seen wearing an orange sweater, jeans and a beanie, according to the Washington Examiner. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) at 202-727-9099.

According to Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), MPD and ABRA continue their investigation in the case and no decision has been made by MPD Chief Cathy Lanier on whether or not to temporarily shut down Patty Boom Boom. She has previously closed other U Street bars for violent incidents including Tabaq Bistro, Tap & Parlour and Indulj.